Chapter 3
1528 Words
Chapter 3
Darby
I swear you would have thought that we were moving across the country the way that my big brother acted over the last few weeks.
In recent years, he really had become deeply involved in not only my life, but the kids as well, even taking over bedtime story duty. He loved it! I think part of him was hoping that I wouldn’t be able to find a place on my teacher’s salary.
“I’m no CEO, ahem, but I can afford my own place Cole,” I told him when he asked about my search.
“Are you sure Darbs? You know you don’t have to leave, right? I promise we want you here, we love having you.”
“Colton Donovan Davis! Stop it! We are going to be fine. Yes, I know that we don’t have to leave. Yes, I know you still want us here and yes, we are going to get a place of our own. It’s time big bro. Now back up off of me and chill out!”
“Okay, little Lola!” He said laughing, making a reference to our feisty mother. “I got you. Just know that if you need anything, ever, I’m here for you.”
“I know love, I know. You know you are the best big brother ever, right?”
“That’s what my coffee mug tells me,” he laughed.
It seemed like it took forever, but we finally got settled in. Mom and Colton called every.single.day. When they weren’t calling, Syd was texting. You would think I had never been on my own before. I love my family, but they were really starting to work my damn nerves. With the daily inundations of phone calls, I didn’t think anything of it when Mama called one Saturday about a month into our move.
“Darbs, baby you home?”
“Mama you called the house, not my cell.”
“Oh well hell, I don’t know. Cole set this dang phone up for me. I told the voice to call you and it did. I didn’t know what it called. Anyway baby girl, what are you up to?”
“Right now the kids are out back playing in the yard and I’m about to fix lunch, why?”
“Are you dressed?”
“Yes, Mama, why?”
“Okay. See you in a bit,” she said and hung up before I could respond.
Oh, this can’t be good.
I looked around the house to make sure everything was presentable before running upstairs to change out of my sweats and T-shirt and brushing out my hair.
I finished changing and hurriedly slapped together some sandwiches for the kids and grabbed some fruit for myself.
The kids were sitting at the table eating their PB&J’s with chips and loganberry when the doorbell rang.
“It’s open!” I yelled from the kitchen.
“Girl, don’t leave this door unlocked with my babies in this house,” Mama fussed as she walked in.
Following closely behind was Colton.
“Hey sis,” he said as he scooped me up and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
“Hey Cole, where’s Syd?”
“She’s out in the truck. We have a surprise for you.”
“Oh, okay. What is it?”
“Well, we need you AND the kids to come outside.”
“Just know I had nothing to do with this,” Mama said.
“With what?”
“Nothing! Hush Mama.”
“Don’t you hush me, boy,” she smacked his arm.
“Ow! Dang woman! Darbs can you grab the kids, we’ll meet you outside.”
Now I’m worried.
“Micah, Chels, come here babies. Uncle Cole and Syd have a surprise for you. Outside.” Now I was irritated.
“Coming!” Chels yelled. “Come on Micah! You can finish that later! We’ve got a surprise! Come on.”
I shook my head at her sounding like a little mini mommy.
We all stepped outside and saw Syd standing next to Cole’s truck.
“Hey girl!” I shouted. “Why didn’t you come in?”
“We didn’t want to leave your surprise in the car.”
“What is this damn surprise already?”
“Oooo, mommy!” Micah said.
“Sorry baby, mommy didn’t mean that.” I looked up and gave Syd a death glare. “Syd, it’s hot out here, why didn’t you just bring whatever it is inside?”
“We thought the kids would like to play with it out here.”
“Can we see it now?” asked Chelsea.
“Of course sweetie. Come here and close your eyes. You too Micah.”
The kids obeyed. She reached inside the truck and pulled out a big fluffy dog.
Oh, my god, it’s a dog...nooooooo!
She held the puppy so that it licked Micah on his face and he giggled, then he opened his eyes and squealed in delight. Chelsea opened her eyes to see what all the ruckus was about.
“A PUUUPPPPYYYY!” She screamed.
“A PUPPY! Really?” I shouted! “What on earth were you thinking?”
“I told you I had nothing to do with this,” Mama said.
“Okay, listen, sis,” Colton jumped in. “We just wanted to get you guys something that the kids could play with but also something that you can love on. The kids are getting bigger and you know that you were just saying that you miss cuddling with them,”
“Cole, they are 4 and 8, not teenagers leaving for college. They still cuddle! I said I miss them being babies! This is not a baby! Ugh!”
“Oh come on Darbs, just look at her. She’s so cute! Come on, look at her.”
I looked over to see the biggest, brownest puppy dog eyes staring at me. Why do her eyes have to be so cute? I’m screwed.
“What is it?” I asked.
“She’s a maltipoo,” Syd gushed. “Isn’t she just adorable?”
“I love her Auntie Syd,” Chelsea sang.
We all looked at each other. Syd grinned at her new name.
“She loves you too, here take her. You will have to take good care of her.”
I promise,” Chelsea said, cradling the puppy in her left arm and holding her right arm to solemnly swear.
“What about you Micah? Are you going to be a big boy and help Chels with the puppy?”
“Yep. I’m going to walk her and feed her.”
“What’s her name, Auntie Syd?” Chelsea chimed in.
“Well, that’s up to you two.”
“Whoa, whoa, wait a minute. Before we go picking names…let’s take a deep breath. Mommy doesn’t even know if she’s going to let you keep this puppy,” I said.
They all looked like I had punched them in the gut, even Mama.
Smdh, I guess I’m letting them keep it.
“Fine!” I huffed. “But the first time this dog craps on my floor or chews up a shoe, it’s gone,” I said trying to sound firm. The damn thing was adorable.
“SHE mommy, she’s a girl. Not an ‘it’,” Chelsea said smartly.
“Well, excuse me smarty britches.”
She giggled.
“Well, can we take this party in the house, I’m burning up. Brown sugar melts babies, you all know this,” Mama said making all the adults chuckle.
After unloading all of the new doggie accessories from his truck, Colton met the rest of us inside.
“Did you buy out the pet store Cole?” I asked.
“Nope, just trying to be prepared. I didn’t want to give you any excuses for not keeping her,” he chuckled.
“Alright Chelsea, Micah, do we have a name picked out?” Syd asked.
“I like Diego,” Micah said.
“She’s a girl, Micah! She can’t be Diego,” Chelsea said matter-of-factly, rolling her eyes.
“Well, what do you suggest Chels?” Colton asked.
“Hmm…what about Elsa? Or Anna? Or Barbie?”
“Those are very good names, Chels. Anybody else?”
“What about Angel or Baby,” Mama chirped.
“I like Bailey and Zoey,” Syd said.
“Oh Zoey, I like Zoey too,” Mama said.
“Me too Auntie Syd,” Chels agreed. “Mommy do you like Zoey?”
“I like whatever you like.”
I couldn’t believe the lively debate over a dog’s name.
“Come here Zoey,” Micah said to the dog that Chelsea had just placed on the ground. “Zoey, come here Zoey.”
The little white fluff ball stretched and then waddled over to Micah.
“I guess it’s settled, Zoey it is,” Colton said.
“Yea,” I said completely unenthusiastically. “I’m so thrilled.”
Syd just laughed at me.
“Hush Syd, I know this was all your doing.”
She smiled and shrugged.
“Maybe.”
“Well, as payback you and Cole can babysit tonight. I have a feeling I’m going to need a drink before this day is over.”
We spent the next several hours on the floor trying to teach a dog new tricks. Syd helped Chelsea come up with a feeding/potty schedule while Colton and Micah made themselves useful by rolling around on the floor with the puppy. As much as I hated to admit it, she was pretty fun to watch.
“Just remember if she ruins the carpets, you are paying to have them replaced Colton Donovan Davis!” I teased.
“Dang girl, you don’t have to shout out my whole name like that,” he laughed. “I got you! No worries! Admit it, you like her already, don’t you?” He nudged me.
“Whatever, she’s cute, I guess.”
“Ah, you love her,” Syd beamed. “I knew you would.”
“Yea, well, I need a drink too, I wasn’t kidding about you babysitting tonight.”
“Sounds good to me!” Colton said happily. “Kids, how about a movie night with the new puppy?”
“Yayyyyyyy!’ They both screamed, causing Zoey to bark at least I think it was a bark.
“Well, I’m not staying here all night. I have a date with Bernard. He’s making me a romantic dinner.”
“What did I tell you about talking like that about Bernard, Mama?” Colton said sounding disgusted.
“Shut up boy.”
“Mama, I’ll drop you off on my way out. Let me run and get dressed. I’m meeting Penni at the Anchor Bar.”
“Okay, baby.”
“Wait…I think we just got played, Syd. She already had plans.”
I just smiled and shrugged.
“Maybe.”
- Writer
